Mastering Sociology pp 29-39 | Cite as
Development and Characteristics of the Modern Family
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Abstract
Defining ‘a family’ is not so simple as most people might immediately assume; there are many forms of family. In British society a basic family usually consists of a man and woman who have a steady relationship with each other and who also have children; children are essential to the idea of ‘family’, but they need not necessarily be ‘consanguine’ — that is, related by blood to the adults with whom they live — although they usually are. A simple group of this kind is called a ‘nuclear’ family. Nearly all ‘nuclear’ families are related to one or more other nuclear families through parent-child relationships; mother will often have parents and brothers and sisters living and so will father. This family is called the ‘extended family’ and can include all known relations.
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